Knights, Stags finish on high note

Games today

12 noon – CSB vs Lyceum (Srs)

2 p.m. – Mapua vs Perpetual (Srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Arellano (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Letran edged Emilio Aguinaldo, 93-87, in overtime while San Sebastian overpowered Jose Rizal U, 85-58, to cap their NCAA men’s basketball tournament campaigns at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Knights drew double-digit scores from five players but still needed an extra five minutes to subdue the Generals and close out their season with a 9-9 slate for joint fifth.

The Generals ended up with a 6-12 mark for ninth.

Earlier, Allyn Bulanadi shot 14 points while Ryan Costelo and Michael Calisaan added 13 markers apiece as the Stags capped their second round charge by winning seven of their last eight games for an 8-10 record.

SSC’s 7-2 mark in the second round is actually better than three of the Final Four teams – San Beda, Mapua and Perpetual Help.

Only Arellano U has a better second round slate of 7-1 for a league-leading 14-3 mark.

“We had a bad start but we recovered and the players got tired of losing,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya, confident of his wards’ chances next season.

“I hope we can stay healthy as we try to get inspiration from our performance this season,” he said.

The Bombers fell to 9-9.

Meanwhile, Arellano U and San Beda (13-4), which clinched the twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four, dispute the top spot while Mapua and Perpetual Help, toting identical 11-6 cards, slug it out for No. 3 at the close of the double round elims today.

The Chiefs take the No. 1 seeding with a win in their 4 p.m. encounter but a Lions victory will force a playoff for the top spot on Tuesday.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

San Sebastian 85 – Bulanadi 14, Calisaan 13, Costelo 13, Capobres 12, Fabian 7, Mercado 6, Gayosa 5, David 4, Serajosef 4, Ilagan 3, Baetiong 2, Valdez 1, Calma 1, Quipse 0.

JRU 58 – Pontejos 14, Poutouochi 10, Cruz 9, Teodoro 8, Lasquety 6, Dela Paz 5, Grospe 4, Caballero 1, Dela Virgen 1, Astilla 0, Dada 0, Mendoza 0, Salaveria 0.

Quarterscores: 21-17; 42-29; 63-45; 85-58

Second Game (Srs)

Letran 93 – Sollano 21, Nambatac 15, Quinto 12, Balanza 11, Calvo 11, Apreku 8, Bernabe 5, Ambohot 4, Balagasay 4, Dela Pena 2, Luib 0, Pambid 0, Sario 0, Ular 0, Vacaro 0.

EAC 87 – Laminou 23, Onwubere 23, Munsayac 12, King 9, Serrano 6, Morada 5, Guzman 3, Pascua 3, Diego 2, Neri 1, Aguas 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, General 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 33-35, 56-54, 82-82 (Reg.), 93-87 (OT)